by Jim Wyatt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Wyatt, USA TODAY Sports

When Mike Munchak landed in Nashville on Friday after a long meeting with his bosses in Houston, he remained employed, with the promise he'd get one more shot as Titans head coach.

Yet when he hopped in his truck and drove home, Munchak had plenty to consider. He'd been told he'd have to make changes that would involve firing some of his best friends. And he was not going to receive a contract extension that would bolster his efforts to improve the coaching staff and roster.

Still, president/CEO Tommy Smith and general manager Ruston Webster believed Munchak would take them up on the offer. Team officials expected to announce on Saturday that the coach would be back for 2014.

Saturday, however, proved to be the end of the road for Munchak and the Titans. They parted after three seasons of struggling to rise above mediocrity. He was with the franchise for 31 years as a player, then an assistant coach and finally as head coach.

"I really didn't know for sure exactly how it was going to end," Webster said. "The decision really was made today and not before. I didn't go (to Houston) thinking this would be the end."

Munchak, hired in 2011 to replace Jeff Fisher, thought everything over on Friday night and had another round of conversations with Smith and Webster on Saturday.

When they couldn't reach an agreement, Munchak essentially fired himself with one year left on his four-year contract. He finished with a 22-26 record, including 7-9 this season.

"This is a day I hoped would never come, but there is a reason for everything. Words cannot express the sadness for leaving this organization that I have been a part of for over 30 years," Munchak said in a statement. "My goal as head coach was to do things the right way with the right people and I felt confident that the results would follow.

"Sometimes rebuilding a team and its culture takes time, but I truly believe we were on the verge of great things. Unfortunately my vision did not match that of the organization, so we will part ways."

Munchak thanked the family of franchise founder and owner Bud Adams, who died in October, and the fans "that have hung with me."

Webster said the process to replace Munchak would begin "as soon as possible."

Among the coaches Munchak was told had to be replaced were offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, offensive line coach Bruce Matthews and linebackers coach Chet Parlavecchio.

Matthews and Parlavecchio are among Munchak's best friends. Indications are the coach was told he'd have to fire six assistants overall.

Smith, who took over as the franchise's decision-maker in October shortly after the death of Adams, his father-in-law, admitted last month that he agonized over the possibility of having to fire Munchak. On Saturday he issued a statement emphasizing his respect for the Hall of Fame offensive lineman and what he meant to the franchise.

"He is one of the most genuine people I have ever known and he will always be a large part of our history, which I am thankful for,'' Smith said. "We had a number of discussions and meetings as an organization since the season ended â?¦ and those discussions continued into (Saturday). Ultimately, we decided it was best to move in different directions. As I told him, we appreciate his efforts as head coach and I think he helped us progress as a team."

Webster will spearhead the process of replacing Munchak. Two coaches expected to get strong consideration are Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Both have ties to Webster from his days with the Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While the Titans are now competing with four other teams trying to fill head-coaching vacancies, Webster said he doesn't believe he's in catch-up mode.

Munchak stressed to Webster and Smith that he believed the Titans were on the verge of a turnaround. Several numbers put big dents in his argument, however.

The Titans were 6-12 against AFC South opponents under Munchak, including 2-4 mark this season. They also went 3-20 over the last three seasons against teams that finished with a winning record.

The promise of a 3-1 start this season crumbled as the Titans lost eight of 10 games at one point and went on to finish 7-9. Along the way they lost five straight games at LP Field, the longest such streak since the team moved into the stadium in 1999.

After an offseason of sweeping changes that included a shakeup of the coaching staff and a $100 million spending spree on free agents, an imminent turnaround was a tough sell.

"It's disappointing to me that it came to this, because I like Mike so much. But this is a part of the business. It's the hard part, but it is a part of the business," Webster said. "But I am excited to go through the process. I am excited for the city, I am excited for the Titans organization to move forward and find a coach who is a going to be a good fit for Nashville that they're going to be proud of and we'll put a good team on the field they'll be proud of."